Designing Auto-Inserting Artificial Ion-Channels as Novel Antibiotics.

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global threat, causing ~700,000 deaths each year. By 2050, this number is predicted to be 10 million, with the rate of new resistance significantly outstripping the rate of discovery of new antibiotics. New ambitious strategies are needed if we are to address this growing crisis.

Recent work in our lab (e.g. Scott et al. Nat.Chem.2021 in press) and others have helped establish design-rules for the de novo construction of artificial transmembrane ion channel and pores. This bottom-up strategy provides new potential routes for the targeting and disruption of microbial membranes. Importantly, this provides direct control over the mechanism of killing, with flexibility in design that can overcome many of the limitations of conventional antibiotics.

In this project you will build on these foundations to engineer a totally new class of artificial ion channel, capable of switching from a water-soluble state for delivery, to a membrane-spanning pore.

This project will combine the respective expertise our two research groups, providing training and guidance in the simulation of membrane-spanning peptides, microfluidic artificial membranes, and single-molecule microscopy. This combination will allow the rapid rational design and testing of new channel structures: determining membrane stability of designs in silico; followed by systematic peptide synthesis; single-molecule characterisation of the activity of these channels on model bacterial membranes; and characterisation of their potential to target and kill bacteria.

Essential criteria:

Prospective candidates should have a 1^st or 2:1 M-level qualification in Chemistry, or a related subject.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate an aptitude for multidisciplinary research, the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse research environment as will a track-record of problem-solving and independence.

Application Process

1.      Send your CV and cover letter to [Email Address Removed]

2. Complete an online application on the King’s College myApplication system (https://apply.kcl.ac.uk/):

a. Register a new account/login

b. Once logged in, select Create a new application

c. Enter ‘Chemistry Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time/Part-time)' under Choose a programme. Please ensure you select the correct mode of study.

3.      CV submission and online application MUST both be completed by the deadline.

All relevant information regarding eligibility, including academic and English language requirements, is available from the online prospectus.

The deadline for applications is 15^th June 2021. References must be submitted by the 21^st June. We aim to hold interviews in late June/early July. If you require support with the application process, please contact the Chemistry Postgraduate Administrator Cairn Macfarland [Email Address Removed]